ANALYSIS: Mathieu van der Poel targets special list featuring Eddy Merckx at E3 Saxo Bank Classic
Cycling
Mathieu van der Poel's incredible win at the 2025
Milano-Sanremo last weekend was yet another reminder of the fact he has
abilities not even Tadej Pogacar can replicate.
By taming the Slovenian beast and then launching his own
sprint early, the Dutchman claimed his second La Primavera victory in three
years and further cemented his place among the greats of cycling's Monument
races. But with the cobbled classics now on the horizon, attention is turning
to whether Van der Poel can maintain his red hot form in the E3 Saxo Bank
Classic and Gent Wevelgem.
Historically, riders who win Milano-Sanremo rarely go on to
feature prominently on the podium of either E3 or Gent-Wevelgem in the same
season. The list of those who have managed the feat is surprisingly short,
though it includes some of the sport’s most iconic names.
Van der Poel himself was the most recent to do it, finishing
second at E3 in 2023 just days after his storming victory in Sanremo. Before
that, one must look back to 2007, when Oscar Freire followed his Milano-Sanremo
win with third place at Gent-Wevelgem.
Read also
Mario Cipollini did it in style in 2002, backing up his
Sanremo triumph with victory in Wevelgem. Other examples include Andrei Tchmil
in 1999 (second at E3), Alain De Wolf in 1981 (third at both E3 and
Gent-Wevelgem), Roger De Vlaeminck in 1979 (second at Gent-Wevelgem), and, of
course, the legendary Eddy Merckx in 1972, who managed second at E3 and third
at Gent-Wevelgem after taking victory in Sanremo.
These names form a rare club, one that Van der Poel already
belongs to and may look to join again. With his explosive climbing, powerful
sprint, and an uncanny ability on the cobbles, he’s uniquely positioned to buck
the trend of Sanremo winners fading before the cobbled heart of the spring.
What do you think? Will Van der Poel be able to continue his
form into the cobbled classics? Or will Tadej Pogacar, Wout van Aert, or
someone else have an answer?
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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